The old man walk to the bench and sit down right next to me. With fried rice stuffed in my cheeks, I look at the old man curiously. In response to my curious gaze, the old man flashes an innocent smile. "Young man, what is your name?"
"Rayden." I responded.
"Rayden, Rayden… that is a nice name. This old man's name is Thomas. I'm terribly sorry to disturb you, but you just look too much like my late son. You see, my son had some difficulties concerning his mental health. At that time, I did receive some hints of that being the case but I paid it no heed. In my mind, I thought it was just a phase he would get over soon enough, but I was wrong. By the time, I realized how serious it was, it was already too late. I can't imagine the pain my son must have felt, how he tried to seek help but no one paid him heed. So, what I am saying, Rayden, are you okay?" The old man suddenly pours his heart out to me. I do not know how to react to this.
"Me? I'm think I'm doing fine."
Thomas looks at me with a worried gaze. "Are you sure? I saw you hyperventilating just now."
"Oh that. I was just talking to myself in my head. It's fine."
Thomas looks even more worried now. "Do you hear voices inside your head?"
Upon hearing that question, my face freezes in place. I tip my head down and meekly asked, "Why do you ask that?"
"The day before my son's suicide, he came to talk to me about the voices he hears in his head. He told me they were always bothering him, never shutting up and that they were getting louder and louder in his head. I just wish I would have done more and maybe my son would still be here with me again." Thomas looks at the calming view of the park, reminiscing about the days when his family was happy.
After his son's suicide, his wife left him because he just reminded her too much of her son. She also still feels angry at him for not paying enough attention to their son's mental issues. After filing for a divorce, she took custody of their daughter, so now in this family of four, there is only one left. He is strolling around in the park because he just can't stand the silence in his now empty house.
Sometimes, he wish that he could talk to his son one last time and say a proper goodbye, rather than having his last memory of his son being him hanging from the room with a rope around his neck. When he lays on his bed at night, he could almost hear his son speaking to him.
While Rayden is still keeping his head down, pondering whether to share his story to the pitiful old man as well, he does not notice Thomas's change. While Thomas is recounting his experiences and regrets, his blue eyes start turning hollow and if one were to look into his eyes, one would see a black liquid exuding from his pupils, dyeing his whole eyes black. Two black stripes start to extend from the top of his head across his two eyes to his chin. His teeth start to grow as well into full grown canine much like wolves. Underneath his shirt, black stripes start to emerge from the left side of his chest, where his heart was located, slowly covering his whole body with black stripes.
While he was transforming into some unknown creature, Thomas is totally unaware of what was happening to his body. Oblivious to the changes in his body, he continues to recount the precious memories he had with his boy.
"Daniel… have you come to speak to me again. Don't leave too soon, okay? Dad will be with you soon so don't leave me behind."
Just as the final piece is about to be covered, a high pitched voice brought him out of his daze. "Rayden! There you are. Come on let's go!"
Hearing that voice, I wake up form my daze and turn towards the direction of the voice to see Rachel coming towards me in a red summer dress. With her light makeup on, the smell of the favorite perfume she put on, this really looks like a date.
Rachel quickly grabs my hand before locking her arm around mine. "Let's go!"
Seeing her jubilant attitude, I just can't say no so I turn towards the pitiful old man. "I wish you all the best, Thomas. And thank you for your concerns but I'm fine."
Looking totally normal, Thomas looks at me with a relaxed smile. "Thank you for listening to this rambling old man, Rayden. Goodbye for now and let fate decide if we meet again."
I nod deeply and turn around. With Rachel beside me, I walk towards the boulevard.
Rachel then turn her head towards the old man and sent a piercing glare towards him. Thomas immediately stood up from the bench and retreated back with hurried steps, not daring to look back.
I notice Rachel looking at Thomas. "Why are you looking at him?"
Rachel smiles sweetly and tightens her grip around my arm as she lays her head on my shoulder. "Nothing special."
I shake my head in dismissal. I can't think what is our relationship at this moment. I have already told her we are done but she keeps tugging my heartstrings, so much so that I can't even refuse her touch. Not thinking about it anymore, I keep my head on the road without minding too much about the warmth on my arm.
Noticing that my attention was on the road, Rachel then flash a mischievous smile.